'Maple Spring' commission releases report

The Quebec government has issued areport on the "Maple Spring" protests with28 different recommendations, 21 of whichconcernpolice tacticsduring aseries of nearly 700 protests that took place in2012.

Deputy Premierand Minister of Public Safety,LiseThriault, released the 450-page report Wednesday night.

• Maple Spring commission begins today

In May 2013, thePartiQubcoisgovernment's public security minister,StphaneBergeron, setup a special committee chaired by formerPQministerSergeMnard, to provide an overall picture of the events of spring 2012, as well asdetermine how demonstrations against tuition fee hikesescalated to such an extreme.

The report criticizes the JeanCharestLiberalgovernment for not making more of an effort to mediate with student protesters.

A number of protesters were injuredat one particularly violent demonstration inVictoriaville, Que.after clashingwith police.

• Student requires eye surgery after Que. protest

The commission said that the public security minister shouldrestrainthe police use ofbatons,pepper spray andstun grenades during protests.

Thereport alsorecommendspolice stop applying a section of the Highway Safety Code that allows themto make arrests for blocking traffic,sayingtheissue should first bedebated incourt.

It sayspolicing student demonstrations during the Maple Spring cost Quebecnearly $26-million.